100+ Hidden Windows Keyboard Shortcuts and Rare Power Tricks ⚡

Tutorials & Methods
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100+ Hidden Windows Keyboard Shortcuts and Rare Power Tricks :high_voltage:

Unlock over 100+ rare and powerful Windows keyboard shortcuts that go far beyond the basics. These hidden commands grant instant access to system tools, debugging environments, and developer-level features. They’re designed for power users who want maximum productivity, system control, and hidden workflow accelerators.

Core System & Desktop Navigation

  • Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Open Task Manager.

  • Ctrl + Alt + Del → Security options.

  • Win + D → Show/hide desktop.

  • Win + M / Win + Shift + M → Minimize/restore all windows.

  • Win + Tab → Task View.

  • Alt + Tab / Alt + Esc → Switch apps.

  • Ctrl + Win + D → Create new virtual desktop.

  • Ctrl + Win + F4 → Close current virtual desktop.

  • Ctrl + Win + ← / → → Switch desktops.

  • Win + L → Lock computer.

  • Win + Pause/Break → Open System Properties.

  • Win + Ctrl + Shift + B → Restart graphics driver.

Window Management & File Explorer

  • Win + E → File Explorer.

  • Alt + D → Focus address bar.

  • Ctrl + Shift + N → New folder.

  • Alt + Enter → File/folder properties.

  • F2 → Rename.

  • F3 → Search.

  • F5 → Refresh.

  • Alt + P → Show preview pane.

  • Win + Arrow Keys → Snap windows.

  • Win + Shift + ← / → → Move window between monitors.

  • Win + Home → Minimize all except active window.

  • Win + ↑ / ↓ → Maximize or restore/minimize.

  • Ctrl + Shift + C → Copy full file path.

Hidden Settings & Control Access

  • Win + I → Open Settings.

  • Win + U → Ease of Access.

  • Win + A → Action Center.

  • Win + P → Project/switch display mode.

  • Win + R → Run dialog.

  • Win + X → Power User Menu (Device Manager, Disk Management, etc.).

  • Win + K → Connect devices.

  • Win + Ctrl + Q → Quick Assist.

  • Win + Ctrl + F → Find PCs on network.

  • Win + F → Feedback Hub.

Clipboard, Screenshots & Capture

  • Win + V → Clipboard history.

  • Win + Shift + S → Snip overlay.

  • PrtScn / Alt + PrtScn / Win + PrtScn → Screen capture variations.

  • Win + Alt + PrtScn → Xbox Game Bar screenshot.

  • Win + G → Xbox Game Bar (recording, performance).

  • Win + H → Start dictation.

  • Win + Alt + R → Record screen (Game Bar).

Browser & Universal App Tricks

  • Ctrl + T / Ctrl + W / Ctrl + Shift + T → Tab controls.

  • Ctrl + N / Ctrl + Shift + N → New window or incognito.

  • Ctrl + L / Alt + D → Focus URL.

  • Ctrl + H / Ctrl + J → History/downloads.

  • Alt + ← / → → Navigate back/forward.

  • Ctrl + F → Find on page.

  • F11 → Full-screen mode.

  • Ctrl + Tab / Ctrl + Shift + Tab → Switch tabs.

Advanced Power User Tricks

  • Win + T → Cycle taskbar apps.

  • Win + Number (1–9) → Launch pinned taskbar apps.

  • Shift + Click (taskbar app) → Open new instance.

  • Ctrl + Shift + Click (taskbar app) → Run as administrator.

  • Win + Space → Switch input language.

  • Win + , (comma) → Peek desktop temporarily.

  • Win + O → Lock device orientation.

  • Win + . / Win + ; → Emoji/symbol picker.

  • Alt + F4 → Close active window.

  • Ctrl + Alt + F4 → Exit Remote Desktop session.

  • Win + Shift + Enter → Full-screen Universal apps.

Text Editing & Navigation

  • Ctrl + Backspace/Delete → Delete word backward/forward.

  • Ctrl + ← / → → Jump cursor by word.

  • Ctrl + Shift + ← / → → Highlight word by word.

  • Ctrl + Home / End → Jump to doc start/end.

  • Shift + Home / End → Select to start/end of line.

  • Ctrl + A / C / X / V / Z / Y → Select, copy, cut, paste, undo, redo.

  • Ctrl + Shift + V → Paste without formatting (in supported apps).

Developer & Debugging Shortcuts

  • F12 → Open Developer Tools (browsers, some apps).

  • Ctrl + Shift + I → Browser DevTools.

  • Ctrl + Shift + J → Open browser console.

  • Ctrl + Shift + C → Inspect element in browser.

  • Ctrl + ` (backtick) → Toggle Windows Terminal (if enabled).

  • Win + R → powershell → Launch PowerShell.

  • Win + R → cmd → Command Prompt.

  • Ctrl + Shift + Enter (in Run) → Run command as administrator.

  • Win + G → Performance overlay (useful for debugging GPU load).

  • Alt + Ctrl + Del → System-level troubleshooting menu.

Rare Debug & Deep System Commands

  • Win + R → gpedit.msc → Local Group Policy Editor.

  • Win + R → regedit → Registry Editor.

  • Win + R → perfmon → Performance Monitor.

  • Win + R → dxdiag → DirectX Diagnostic Tool.

  • Win + R → devmgmt.msc → Device Manager.

  • Win + R → diskmgmt.msc → Disk Management.

  • Win + R → compmgmt.msc → Computer Management.

  • Win + R → eventvwr → Event Viewer.

  • Win + R → taskschd.msc → Task Scheduler.

  • Win + R → netplwiz → Advanced User Accounts.

  • Win + R → services.msc → Windows Services.

  • Win + R → control → Classic Control Panel.

  • Win + R → ncpa.cpl → Network Connections.

  • Win + R → appwiz.cpl → Uninstall Programs.

  • Win + R → sysdm.cpl → System Properties.

God Mode & Secret Shortcuts

  • God Mode Folder Trick: Create a new folder and name it:

    GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

    → Unlocks a master control panel with 200+ settings in one place.

  • Win + Ctrl + Shift + Esc (with God Mode active) → Power navigation between hidden tools.

  • Win + R → shell:startup → Open Startup folder.

  • Win + R → shell:common startup → Open All Users Startup folder.

:high_voltage: Tip: Bolded commands mark the action keys while the rest provides context—making it effortless to skim, memorize, and apply.

With these 100+ shortcuts and rare system-level tricks, Windows transforms into a keyboard-first powerhouse—unlocking hidden menus, advanced diagnostic tools, and full developer-grade control.

Happy learning!

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